View source for Vladimir Akopian

{{short description|Armenian chess grandmaster (born 1971)|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{distinguish|Varuzhan Akobian}}
{{Infobox chess player
| name = Vladimir Akopian
| image = Vladimir-Akopian.jpg
| caption = 
| birth_name = Վլադիմիր Հակոբյան
| country = {{ubl|[[Soviet Union]] (until 1992)|[[Armenia]] (1992–2021)|[[United States]] (since 2021)<ref name="to_US">{{cite web|url=https://ratings.fide.com/fedchange.phtml?year=2021|title=Transfers in 2021|website=[[FIDE]]}}</ref>}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|12|7}}
| birth_place = [[Baku]], [[Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic]], [[Soviet Union]]
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| title = [[Grandmaster (chess)|Grandmaster]] (1991)
| worldchampion = 
| peakrating = 2713 (July 2006)
| peakranking = No. 11 (January 2003)
| FideID = 13300032
}}

'''Vladimir Akopian''' ({{langx|ru|Владимир Акопян}}, {{langx|hy|Վլադիմիր Հակոբյան}}; born December 7, 1971) is an [[Armenia]]n-[[Americans|American]] [[chess]] [[Grandmaster (chess)|Grandmaster]].

==Career==

Akopian was born in [[Baku]], [[Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic]], [[Soviet Union]]. He won the [[World Youth Chess Championship|World Under-16 Championship]] in 1986 at the age of 14 and the [[World Youth Chess Championship|World Under-18 Championship]] at 16. In 1991, he won the [[World Junior Chess Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=2053|title=Pähtz-Korbut, Harikrishna-Zhao poised for victory|date=2004-11-29|publisher=ChessBase.com|access-date=6 April 2011}}</ref>

He won the [[Armenian Chess Championship]] in 1996 and 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armchess.am/all_ch_arm.htm|title=All Champions of Armenia|publisher=Armchess.am|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120000741/http://www.armchess.am/all_ch_arm.htm |archive-date=20 January 2012}}</ref> In 1999 he made his way through to the final of the [[FIDE World Chess Championship 1999|FIDE knockout World Chess Championship]], but lost to [[Alexander Khalifman]] by 3.5-2.5.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theweekinchess.com/html/twic251.html#2|title=TWIC 251: Alexander Khalifman, FIDE World Chess Champion|last=Crowther|first=Mark|date=1999-08-30|publisher=London Chess Center|access-date=6 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012180325/https://chess.co.uk/twic/twic251.html#2|archive-date=12 October 2012}}</ref>

At the Russia vs the Rest of the World 2002, Akopian defeated [[FIDE]] #1 ranked [[Garry Kasparov]] in 25 moves in the final eighth round.<ref>{{cite web|title=What is wrong with the great Ks?|url=http://www.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4000501/what-is-wrong-with-the-great-ks-.aspx|date=10 September 2002|publisher=ChessBase|access-date=23 May 2013}}</ref>

Akopian defeated World Champion [[Vladimir Kramnik]] in the first round of the [[Corus chess tournament]] 2004 and was in the lead for the beginning of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|title=Corus Round 1: Akopian beats Kramnik and leads|url=http://www.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4001410/corus-round-1-akopian-beats-kramnik-and-leads.aspx|date=10 January 2004|publisher=ChessBase|access-date=23 May 2013}}</ref> He finished the contest in tenth place.<ref>{{cite web|title=Corus Round 13: Anand Anand! Wins 2nd straight Wijk aan Zee|url=http://www.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4001445/corus-round-13-anand-anand-wins-2nd-straight-wijk-aan-zee.aspx|date=26 January 2004|publisher=ChessBase|access-date=23 May 2013}}</ref>

He made it to the quarterfinals in the [[FIDE World Chess Championship 2004]], where he lost to eventual tournament runner-up [[Michael Adams (chess player)|Michael Adams]].

In 2005, he tied for 1st–5th with [[Emil Sutovsky]], [[Andrei Kharlov]], [[Vassily Ivanchuk]] and [[Alexander Motylev]] at the [[Aeroflot Open]] in [[Moscow]]. Akopian had a score of 6.5 at the [[Aeroflot Open]] 2005 and took part in a five-way tie. After the tiebreaker, he came in fifth.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aeroflot Open: Sutovsky winner on tiebreak|url=http://www.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4002216/aeroflot-open-sutovsky-winner-on-tiebreak.aspx|date=24 February 2005|publisher=ChessBase|access-date=23 May 2013}}</ref>

It was reported that Akopian had to withdraw from the 2005 Dubai Open when he was arrested at Dubai airport, having been mistaken for his namesake wanted by [[Interpol]] for attempted murder.<ref>[http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=2315 ChessBase.com - Chess News - News and views from the world of chess]</ref>

Early in 2007, Akopian won the [[Gibraltar Chess Festival|Gibtelecom Masters]] in [[Gibraltar]] with a score of 7.5/9 ahead of a group of players tied at 7/9 including [[Michael Adams (chess player)|Michael Adams]].<ref>[http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=3650 ChessBase.com - Chess News - Akopian wins GibTel Masters in Gibraltar]</ref>

Akopian came in third place at the Fourth FIDE Grand Prix in April 2009 with a score of 7.5/13, one point behind compatriot [[Levon Aronian]]. He lost to [[Peter Leko]], who had the same score, in a tiebreaker.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nalchik R13: Levon Aronian wins Fourth FIDE Grand Prix|url=http://www.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4005387/nalchik-r13-levon-aronian-wins-fourth-fide-grand-prix.aspx|date=29 April 2009|publisher=ChessBase|access-date=23 May 2013}}</ref>

In December 2009, he was awarded the title of "Honored Master of Sport of the Republic of Armenia".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armchess.am/|title=High Titles of Olympic Champions|date=2009-12-19|publisher=Armchess|access-date=19 December 2009}}</ref>

On the May 2013 [[FIDE]] list, he had an [[Elo rating]] of 2705, making him number 39 in the world and Armenia's number two player, behind [[Levon Aronian]].

In 2021, Akopian switched federations to represent the [[United States|United States of America]].<ref name="to_US" />

In 2024, Akopian won the U.S. Senior Chess Championship with a round to spare, scoring 7 points out of 9. He was the only undefeated player in the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=J. J. |date=2024-07-25 |title=Akopian Wins 2024 U.S. Senior Championship With a Round to Spare, Yoo and Lee lead Junior and Girls' Junior {{!}} US Chess.org |url=https://new.uschess.org/news/akopian-wins-2024-us-senior-championship-round-spare-yoo-and-lee-lead-junior-and-girls-junior#:~:text=The%20most%20significant%20result%20today,title%20of%20U.S.%20Senior%20Champion. |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=new.uschess.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nahapetyan |first=Haykaram |date=2024-07-29 |title=Vladimir Akopian Wins US Senior Chess Championship: Video Report |url=https://mirrorspectator.com/2024/07/29/vladimir-akopian-wins-us-senior-chess-championship-video-report/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=The Armenian Mirror-Spectator |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Team competitions==
The Armenia national chess team made its debut at the [[30th Chess Olympiad]] in 1992 in [[Manila]] and won bronze. Akopian played on second board at the Olympiad, behind [[Rafael Vaganian]].<ref>{{cite web|title=30th Chess Olympiad: Manila 1992|url=http://www.olimpbase.org/1992/1992arm.html|publisher=OlimpBase|access-date=23 May 2013}}</ref>

Akopian was one of the contributing players on the Armenian chess team which won gold at the [[37th Chess Olympiad|2006 Turin Chess Olympiad]] ahead of second-placed [[China]] and third-placed [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Olympiad R12: Armenia leads, China or Russia for Silver|url=http://www.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4003157/olympiad-r12-armenia-leads-china-or-russia-for-silver.aspx|date=4 June 2006|publisher=ChessBase.com|access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref> Akopian played on board two at the Olympiad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=3159|title=Olympiad R13 Armenia and Ukraine take Gold|date=2006-06-05|publisher=ChessBase|access-date=22 March 2011}}</ref> 

Armenia won the [[38th Chess Olympiad]] in [[Dresden]] (2008), winning gold for the second time in a row. Akopian played on board two.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chess-results.com/tnr16314.aspx?art=20&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000&snr=9|title=Olympiad Dresden 2008 Open|date=2009-02-05|publisher=Chess-Results.com|access-date=22 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Olympiad R11: Armenia wins Gold, Israel second|url=http://www.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4005034/olympiad-r11-armenia-wins-gold-israel-second.aspx|date=25 November 2008|publisher=ChessBase.com|access-date=23 May 2013}}</ref> Armenian President [[Serzh Sargsyan]] attended the Olympiad to support the team. After the Olympiad, they flew back to Armenia on the presidential plane, Air Force Armenia One.<ref>{{cite web|title=Olympiad in Dresden: Closing ceremony and prize giving|url=http://www.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4005041/olympiad-in-dresden-closing-ceremony-and-prize-giving.aspx|date=29 November 2008|publisher=ChessBase.com|access-date=23 May 2013}}</ref>
[[File:AM011-09.jpg|thumb|235x235px|Vladimir Akopian (third from left) with his 2008 Dresden Olympiad teammates on a 2009 stamp of Armenia]]
Armenia regained their title at the [[40th Chess Olympiad]] in [[Istanbul]] (2012). This was the third time Armenia won gold at the Olympiad. Akopian played on the third board. As the players were awarded their gold medals, the Armenian national anthem ''[[Mer Hayrenik]]'' was played, and the [[Flag of Armenia|Armenian flag]] was raised in Istanbul. [[Levon Aronian]] held up an Armenian flag as he and his team stood on the first place podium.<ref>{{cite web|title=2012 Chess Olympiad Istanbul: Armenia, Russia win Gold|url=http://www.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4008466/2012-chess-olympiad-istanbul-armenia-russia-win-gold.aspx|date=9 September 2012|publisher=ChessBase.com|access-date=23 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ստամբուլում հնչեց Հայաստանի հիմնը, բարձրացվեց հայկական եռագույնը |url=http://sport.news.am/arm/news/11084/stambulum-hnchec-hayastani-himny-bardzracvec-haykakan-eraguyny.html|date=10 September 2012|publisher=NEWS.am Sport|access-date=23 May 2013}} {{in lang|hy}}</ref> Upon returning to [[Yerevan]], the players were greeted with a ceremony attended by many people in the city the moment their airplane touched down in [[Zvartnots Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2012 Chess Olympiad: a hero's welcome for the Armenian team|url=http://www.chessbase.com/Home/TabId/211/PostId/4008470/2012-chess-olympiad-a-hero-s-welcome-for-the-armenian-team.aspx|date=19 September 2012|publisher=ChessBase|access-date=23 May 2013}}</ref>

After the [[40th Chess Olympiad|40th Olympiad]], Akopian revealed that he is unsure if he will ever compete at [[Chess Olympiad|Chess Olympiads]] again.<ref>{{cite web|title=Վլադիմիր Հակոբյան. Միտք կա այլեւս չխաղալ օլիմպիադայում|url=http://sport.news.am/arm/news/11240/vladimir-hakobyan-mitq-ka-aylevs-chkhaxal-olimpiadayum.html|date=12 September 2012|publisher=NEWS.am Sport|access-date=23 May 2013}} {{in lang|hy}}</ref>

He was a member of the gold medal-winning Armenian team at the [[World Team Chess Championship]] held in [[Ningbo]] (2011). It was the first time that the Armenian team won this event. Akopian played on board three.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=7407|title=World Team Ch. – Armenia gold, China silver, Ukraine bronze|date=2011-07-27|publisher=ChessBase.com|access-date=27 July 2011}}</ref>

==Notable games==

* [https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1141202 Mikhail Tal vs Vladimir Akopian, Barcelona 1992, Sicilian Defense: Nezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack (B30), 1-0]
* [https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1070786 Vladimir Akopian vs Garry Kasparov, 11th European Club Cup Final 1995, Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical Variation. Modern Defense (D78), 1/2-1/2]
* [https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1254316 Vladimir Akopian vs Garry Kasparov, Russia vs The Rest of the World 2002, Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack (B30), 1-0]
* [https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1272103 Vladimir Akopian vs Vladimir Kramnik, Corus Group A 2004, Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation. English Attack Anti-English (B90), 1-0]
* [https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1410232 Anatoly Karpov vs Vladimir Akopian, Russian Club Cup 2006, Slav Defense: Quiet Variation. Schallopp Defense (D12), 0-1]
* [https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1522575 Vladimir Akopian vs Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, 38th Chess Olympiad 2008, Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation. English Attack (B90), 1-0]
* [https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1543553 Vladimir Akopian vs Sergey Karjakin, FIDE Grand Prix 2009, Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation. English Attack Anti-English (B90), 1-0]
* [https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1689251 Ivan Sokolov vs Vladimir Akopian, 40th Chess Olympiad 2012, Slav Defense: General (D10), 0-1]

==References==
<references />

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{FIDE}}
* {{USCF|12561112}}
* {{Chessgames.com player|14125}}
* {{365Chess.com player|Vladimir_Akopian}}
* {{Chess.com player|vladimir-akopian}}
* {{OlimpBase player|ntvrzvph}}
* [https://www.redhotpawn.com/chess-master/akopian-vladimir Grandmaster Games Database - Vladimir Akopian] at redhotpawn.com
* [https://en.chessbase.com/post/interview-with-vladimir-akopian-1 The Life Story of Vladimir Akopian (Part 1)] at Chessbase.com
* [https://en.chessbase.com/post/so-near-yet-so-far-the-life-story-of-vladimir-akopian-2-2 The Life Story of Vladimir Akopian (Part 2)] at Chessbase.com

{{Authority control}}
{{Armenian GMs}}
{{American chess grandmasters}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Akopian, Vladimir}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Chess Grandmasters]]
[[Category:Armenian chess players]]
[[Category:Soviet chess players]]
[[Category:Chess players from Baku]]
[[Category:World Youth Chess Champions]]
[[Category:World Junior Chess Champions]]
[[Category:Chess Olympiad competitors]]